Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the Plantar Fascia in the foot. In this blog post we discuss plantar fasciitis and some simple first aid steps which you can take.

The Plantar Fascia is a thick band of connective tissue which supports the arch of the foot.  

Repeated stress of the plantar fascia can cause small tears resulting in inflammation. This often happens near the attachment of the plantar fascia to the heel bone.

There are several risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis including:

• Obesity
• Age (> 40)
• Lack of exercise
• Shoes with poor arch support and cushioning

First aid for plantar fasciitis

There are several simple first aid steps you can take to reduce the pain from plantar fasciitis

Rest!

Like most inflammatory conditions, the inflammation will subside with time providing the plantar fascia is not stressed. 

Resting the foot will allow the plantar fasciia to recover.

Anti-inflammatory medication

Simple anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen can help reduce the inflammation (and therefore the pain) of plantar fasciitis. 

Anti-inflammatory medication can also be applied topically (in the form of a gel or cream) directly to the plantar fasciia. 

Always read the label carefully before taking any medication and if you are unsure then speak to a healthcare professional.

Ice / cold treatment

Applying an ice pack or cold compress over the plantar fasciia can provide some tempoary relief from pain especially during bad ‘flare ups. The cold causes blood vessels to constrict thus reducing the inflammation 

Shoe supports

There are many shoe supports available on the market. These can support the arch of the foot and reduce the stress placed on the plantar fasciia.